Four Malaysian sailors were released on Wednesday after more than months of captivity by the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG). They immediately boarded a speedboat en route to Sandakan, Sabah.
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The four Malaysians from are Wong Teck Kang, 31, Wong Teck Chii, 29, Johnny Lau Jung Hien, 21, and Wong Hung Sing, 34, all from Sibu, Sarawak.
Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) spokesman, said the Malaysians were freed around 12:30 a.m., Wednesday, in the village of Lagasan Higat, Parang, Sulu. Supt. Wilfredo Cayat was quoted by the Philippine Star on Wednesday as saying the four men – including two brothers and their cousin – returned to their home country with an emissary.
According to reports from Malaysian authorities, information from Jolo indicated that the release was done after negotiations by Malaysian and Filipino negotiators.
Abu Sayyaf was previously reported to have demanded a RM18 million ransom for their release. “Their family members are now in Sandakan waiting to receive them”, she said.
The kidnappings of the Malaysian sailors prompted Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines to launch joint patrols in their waters and set up a security hotline.
In April, the Abu Sayyaf beheaded 68-year-old Canadian hostage John Ridsdel after a 300-million peso ($6 million) ransom failed to be paid.
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The foreign hostages included a Dutchman birdwatcher, a Canadian and a Norwegian.
